Homestead Exemption

 

Homestead Exemption is an exemption of $1,000 of the assessed valuation. This can be a savings of $75 to $125 depending on which area of the county you are located.

 

To Qualify:

You must be the homeowner who resides in the property on January 1. The deed must be executed on or before January 1 and filed with the County Clerks Office on or before February 1. You must be a resident of Oklahoma.

 

To Apply:

You may apply for Homestead Exemption, in person or by phone, with the Stephens County Assessors Office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Our office is located at 101 South 11th, Room 210, Duncan, Oklahoma.

 

Renewal:

If you have been granted a homestead exemption and continue to occupy the homestead property you shall not be required to re-apply for homestead exemption. You will need to re-file if you file a document changing ownership or you move.

 

If you are head of household and qualify for homestead exemption, you may also qualify for additional homestead. You may receive an additional $1,000 assessment exemption if the gross household income from all sources did not exceed $20,000 for the past calendar year.

 

How to File:

You may file for additional homestead between January 1 and March 15, or within 30 days from the date of a notice of valuation increase. Please bring proof of your previous year's household income so we may fill out the proper application. If you are 65 or older as of March 15 of the filing period and presently qualify for additional homestead, you will not have to renew the additional homestead annually. However, it will be the responsibility of the taxpayer to notify the Assessor’s office if your income exceeds $20,000.

 

 

Information on the State Property Tax Credit or Refund Program

 

The form 538-H must be filled out and mailed to the Oklahoma Tax Commission at 2501 Lincoln Blvd, Oklahoma City, Ok., 73194-0003. Anyone who is 65 or older or totally disabled, who is head of household, and a resident of the state of Oklahoma during the previous year and whose gross household income does not exceed 12,000 is qualified for this program. You may obtain the necessary form from the County Assessors office or contact the Oklahoma Tax Commission at 521-3108.

 

 

Senior Valuation Freeze

 

Requirements listed below:

 

- Head-of-household (as defined below) must be age 65 or older prior to January 1, of current year.

- Head-of-household must be an owner of and occupy the Homestead property on January 1, of current year.

- Gross household income (as defined below) cannot exceed the current H.U.D.level to be the estimated median income for the preceding calendar year.

- An application for Senior Valuation Freeze must be filed between January 1 and March 15th, or within 30 days from the date of a notice of valuation increase. The freeze will take affect for the taxable year in which the application is made and approved. No annual application is required.

- The application must be completed in its entirety regarding income, age, ownership, and other information for the freeze to be valid.

 

100% Disabled Veteran's Exemption

 

Based on State Question 715, passed November 2004 and effective January 2006.

 

- General Provisions: Exempts 100% fair cash value of homestead eligible property. Property owner must be certified by USDVA as entitled to receive compensation at the 100% rate effective September 23, 1998. The evaluation must be permanent with no future examinations scheduled. Property owner must make application on OTC Form 998, available on this site. Proof of certification (USDVA Qualification Document) is required with application. Please also provide picture ID.

- Qualifications: Honorably Discharged, 100% Permanent Disability, Extends to Surviving Spouse, Head of Household and USDVA will provide Qualification.

 

Gross Household Income

"Gross household income" is defined in 68 O.S. Section 2890 as used in this section means "the gross amount of income of every type, regardless of the source, received by ALL PERSONS occupying the same household, whether such income was taxable or nontaxable for Federal or State income tax purposes, including pensions, annuities, federal social security, unemployment payments, veteran's disability compensation, public assistance payments, alimony, support money, workmen's compensation, loss of time insurance payments, capital gains and any other type of income received; excluding gifts. The applicant may be required to provide sufficient proof to substantiate the validity of the income statement.

 

Head-of-Household

"Head-of-household" is defined in 68 O.S. Section 2890 as "a person who as owner or joint owner maintains a home and furnishes support for said home furnishings, and other material necessities."

 

If you have any questions concerning these exemptions, please call (580)255-1542.